Germany has decided to exercise an option for 20 more H145M light combat helicopters (Leichter Kampfhubschrauber – LKH) that were part of a contract signed in December 2023, bringing the total number of helicopters ordered to 82, Airbus announced on 15 December 2025.
The first H145M LKH helicopter was delivered to Germany, less than a year after the contract signature, in November 2024 and additional helicopters have since been delivered. The German Army will receive 72 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe’s special forces will receive the remaining 10.
A military version of the tried-and-tested civilian H145, the H145M is a multi-role helicopter that provides a broad range of mission capabilities. The helicopter can be reconfigured “within minutes” from a light attack role with axial ballistic and guided weapons and what Airbus calls a “state-of-the-art self-protection system” into a special operations version with fast rappelling equipment. Its mission packages also include hoisting and external cargo capabilities.
The H145M’s missions in German service include training, reconnaissance, special forces operations and light attack.
Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is fitted with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and Airbus’ Helionix digital avionics suite, which, alongside innovative flight data management, includes a high-performance four-axis autopilot, reducing pilot workload during missions.
The US Army employs almost 500 UH-72 Lakota versions of the H145, while other military operators of the H145 family are Hungary, Serbia, Luxembourg, Thailand, Ecuador, Honduras and Cyprus. Recent orders for the type include Belgium signing for 17, Brunei for six and Ireland for four H145Ms.
